Figure 1.

Fendrr is increased in hepatocyte in the progression of liver fibrosis.A, Fendrr expression was determined by qRT-PCR in the CCl₄-induced murine fibrotic liver (n = 5). The results are shown as fold change compared with oil-treated group (n = 5). B, Fendrr is increased in the hepatocytes, but not nonhepatocytes, of the CCl₄-induced fibrotic liver. C, Fendrr expression is increased in the BDL-induced murine fibrotic liver (n = 5). The results are shown as fold change compared with the Sham operation group (n = 5). D, Fendrr is increased in the hepatocytes, but not nonhepatocytes, of the BDL-induced fibrotic liver. E, representative sirius red staining images of liver cirrhosis patients’ sections. The scale bar represents 100 μm. F, quantification of the sirius red positive area in the sections from liver cirrhosis patients (n = 41). Nondiseased liver tissue from patients undergoing hepatectomy of hemangiomas was used as normal control (n = 4). Results are expressed as percentage of total area unless noted otherwise in this study. G, Fendrr is increased in the specimens from liver cirrhosis patients. The results are shown as fold change compared with the normal control. H, scatter plots show the positive correlation of Fendrr with sirius red-stained area, and the mRNA expression levels of collagen I and α-SMA in the specimens from liver cirrhosis patients, respectively. The expressions of collagen I and α-SMA mRNA were determined by qRT-PCR. Data points represent measurements of individual patients (n = 41).The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) is shown. I, RNA FISH of Fendrr (red) and immunofluorescence staining of albumin (green) in the specimens from normal control and liver cirrhosis patients. Nuclei were visualized using DAPI staining (blue). The scale bar represents 50 μm. For qRT-PCR results, the relative gene expression was normalized against β-actin unless noted otherwise in this study. Data are the mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001, and ns, no significant change. α-SMA, smooth muscle α-actin; BDL, bile duct ligation; DAPI, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; qRT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR.